What would you do?

[Mudfrog]

I'm trying to get a male Dovii, I've purchased 4 in the past from my LFS (bought at different times) and I have received 4 females (well one is too young to sex but I no longer have the other 3). I'm at the point now where I'm ready to just order one from TUIC. The only problem with that is I'm looking at about $75 total and thats with 2 day shipping and no DOA guarantee.

The same LFS that I bought the other Dovii from said they will sell me Dovii for $4 each if I buy several (normally $5 each). So I could get 10 of them for $40 and I would surely hope at least 1 out of 10 would be male. I could then trade them back to the LFS for store credit once I receive a pair that I like (probably when they are in the 5-6" range).

So would you pay for the higher price Dovii that you know would be a male or would you risk buying 10 and trying to find a nice one with the intent of selling / trading them back for credit. Financially I know the better decision but at the same time I'm tired of "hoping" for a male.

 

[bigspizz]

I would base my decision on my tank situation...If you have the room for adults, and breeding is your thing...Go for it...If you just want dovii, and you have a lot of time, grow them...I feel more of a connection with fish I raise from fry...This is all just me though...Good luck.

 

[OscarRobinson]

If your talking about Jeff Rapps (TUIC) you won't have to worry about DOA. He's one of the best online fish dealers there is and all his fish are top notch. If you can get 10 juvis and don't mind waiting for them to grow than the choice should be easy, $40 is better than $75.

 

[fishluvr12]

Personally I would Go with Jeff Rapps.You will be happier with the quality of the fish.At least I have been.Or try Ken at Fish Farm,Don't know if He has any at the moment but You could check

 

[Mudfrog]

I'll have to think about this one some more.. I know the quality of the fish is going to be better but if I went the cheaper route I know my wife would be happier lmao.

Let me ask this.. at what age do juvi male dovii typically start showing freckles? I know at 2-2.5" even the females display some speckling although they lose it as they get bigger, so at what age can you distinguish between the two?

 

[terd ferguson]

I would go with Jeff Rapps. You'd be guaranteed a male with no 6 month wait for growouts (only to be frustrated again when you don't get a male). Think of the cost of food you'll be feeding 10 doviis for those six months and the difference in price is not so great. Not to mention that from the pictures I've seen, Jeff has some of the best quality fishes around.

Good luck.

 

[Mudfrog]

Well I decided to go ahead and order one from TUIC. I also plan on adding a few more cichlids to kind of use as dithers in hopes that they will stay out in the open a little more then usual. My LFS has Uro's for like $4.99 so I might grab one or two of those.

I figure they are tough enough where they could semi fight back if they had to but aren't any really threat to the Dovii.. anybody have experience with Uro's who can verify that?

 

[terd ferguson]

Well I decided to go ahead and order one from TUIC. I also plan on adding a few more cichlids to kind of use as dithers in hopes that they will stay out in the open a little more then usual. My LFS has Uro's for like $4.99 so I might grab one or two of those.

I figure they are tough enough where they could semi fight back if they had to but aren't any really threat to the Dovii.. anybody have experience with Uro's who can verify that?

I'm glad to see you went with Jeff Rapps. I'm sure you won't be disappointed with what you receive. What else did you get to make the $50 minimum?

I saw your thread on cichlid-forum about additions. I don't think a JD or GT would last forever with two growing doviis. I don't know about the Uro. But, each fish has a different personality. I'd personally do a pair of Convicts or two pairs. The mega fry produced will enhance the doviis' diet. But, then again, I've never kept a dovii. I have all the other Parachromis though.

Good luck and let us know how it goes. And post pics of that dovii when you get it.

 

[Mudfrog]

I'm glad to see you went with Jeff Rapps. I'm sure you won't be disappointed with what you receive. What else did you get to make the $50 minimum?

I saw your thread on cichlid-forum about additions. I don't think a JD or GT would last forever with two growing doviis. I don't know about the Uro. But, each fish has a different personality. I'd personally do a pair of Convicts or two pairs. The mega fry produced will enhance the doviis' diet. But, then again, I've never kept a dovii. I have all the other Parachromis though.

Good luck and let us know how it goes. And post pics of that dovii when you get it.

Just the Dovii, he didn't require a minimum. I guess with the economy the way it is everyone is looking for a sale no matter how much it is.. I know I am

As for the other cichlids I'm sure I'll need to remove them once the Dovii gets some size to them, I'm just looking for some type of cichlid that will stay out in the open until then. My dad has a 150 thats laying around and he would gladly take them when I feel their life is at risk.

I do plan on adding some cons as well